The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1887-04-14
WASHINGTON T
From Our Regular Correspondents
WASHINGTON. D. G.,
APRII. 11th 1887

IL - PtOooDiS WV tIio tlAS
largest crowd of visitors that ever
assembled in this city will come
to witness the most novel event
that will take place here during the
present year. The National Drill
will commence on the 23d of May
and close on the 30th of that
month, Decoration Day." with a
grand parade upon the broad, as
phalt streets OF soldiers from eve
rywhere.
The North, South, East and
West, Lake regions and Gulf sec
tons will be represented by their
contingent of sightseers as well as
their citizen soldiery who will COM
pete for the prizes. May finds
Washington in all its glory, fresh
verdure, balmy air and flowers,
and military displays are always
popular. The flare Of brass bands,
the shrill piping flies, the "heroic
voices Of the bugles," the rafting
drums, the FURNISHED arms, bril-
liant uniforms, prancing steeds,
white city Of tents, and flying ban
ners always appe to the senses
and general martial spirit of the
people.
The grounds for the camp are
the monument grounds lying
around the Washington Monument,
and the drill ground is that level
ellipse lying just South of the
White House, known as the White
Lot. This level plain is one-half
mile in circumference and stands
will be erected around it on which
to seat the spectators. Here will
daily be held the contests to prove
the excellence of the cavalry, in
fantry, artillery and Zouave tao
tics. Every evening during drill
week, there will be a grand brigade
dress parade, and on Governors
day and Memorial day the entire
army corps from Camp George
Washington will parade through
the streets of the city. Each eve
ming also the grounds will be IL
Illuminated for promenade concerts,
and other attractions which are be-
ing prepared for the public.
Besides the $26,500 to be distri-
buted in cash prizes, there will be
gold, silver and bronze medals,
special medals and plate trophies
and stands of colors. Some of the
companies which are entered for
the drill have said that they have
no expectation of winning prizes
but hat they are coming simply
for the recreation and pleasure OF
the trip. Thirty-six States r al
ready represented in the applica-
tions made for entry, and yester-
day one was received at Drill Head
quarters from Dakota.
One very important feature OF
the affair isthe provision for board
and shelter for the immense crowd
of visitors that will come. Wash
ington is a city of hotels and
clearinghouse. It was not crowd
ed during the Cleveland Inaugural
ton, although it was estimated
that there we're then over two hun.
dred thousand strangers in the CT
ty. Washington offers many in.
ducements for a weeks visit be.
sides the National Drill. 1t is the
most interesting city in the Union
and Arlington, Blade :sburg, Mt
Vernon, Harper's Ferry and many
other historic points close by.
The action of the two military
companies in withdrawing from
the Drill because of the participa.
ton of colored troops in the con.
test, created no little surprise
among the managers. AT first they
were disposed to discredit the dis
patches from Alabama. When
, they were confirmed, Secretary De
Leon of the Drill Committee re-
marked hat he did not propose tc
criticize the withdrawal of the
Montgomery companies, they had
a perfect right to come or not as
they pleased; but regarding the
admission of the Virginia State
Guards; he said that they were
recognized and regularly organized
soldiers Of the State of Virginia
and their right to enter could not
be denied under any law, civil
military or moral. Governor Lee
had assigned them places in the
military ceremonies at the laying
of the corner stone of Richmond's
City Hail. "Ouf Committee" sale
he, "is composed almost entirely
of Democrats and of Southern
men; but there was not the Least
; hesitancy or delay when the frs
colored company made it's forma
application"
The Montgomery Greys and the
True Blues. are the only organiza
tions which have withdrawn, bur
in view of the fact that the colorec
soldiery took part in the inaugura
ton of President Cleveland with
out giving offense to any section
it is to be regrett d that the ad
mittance of colored military to /;
National Encampment of volun
teer soldicry, intended to illustrate
their proficiency in the manual O
arms, should be construed as al
improperly by even two compa
MES. Juno.
One of the big points in Sher
mans Nashville speech was tina
the way to make the country pros
perOuS WAS to continue hirh taxes